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Scientists Plan Huge European AI Hub To Compete With US (theguardian.com)

Posted by msmash on from the before-it-is-too-late dept.

Leading scientists have drawn up plans for a vast multinational European institute devoted to world-class artificial intelligence (AI) research in a desperate bid to nurture and retain top talent in Europe. From a report: The new institute would be set up for similar reasons as Cern, the particle physics lab near Geneva, which was created after the second world war to rebuild European physics and reverse the brain drain of the brightest and best scientists to the US. Named the European Lab for Learning and Intelligent Systems, or Ellis, the proposed AI institute would have major centres in a handful of countries, the UK included, with each employing hundreds of computer engineers, mathematicians and other scientists with the express aim of keeping Europe at the forefront of AI research. In an open letter that urges governments to act, the scientists describe how Europe has not kept up with the US and China, where the vast majority of leading AI firms and universities are based. The letter adds that while a few "research hotspots" still exist in Europe, "virtually all of the top people in those places are continuously being pursued for recruitment by US companies."

4 of 69 comments (clear)

  1. Why compete with the folks in second? by schwit1 · · Score: 3, Interesting

    China has shot far ahead of the US on deep-learning patents

  2. You're doing it wrong! by tphb · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You don't need huge institutes and government funding to do AI. The major government-sponsored AI initiatives have been largely wasted, whereas commercial AI is getting serious traction.

    1. Re:You're doing it wrong! by monkeyxpress · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Europe doesn't have the same sort of venture capital culture as the US. Even in London there is no Sand Hill equivalent where you can rock on up with your MIT degree and Tony Robins positive energy and walk out with a few million to start you cat tracker app.

      There are a huge number of UK startups and university spinoffs that run off angel money that requires the CEO to periodically attend snooty events with the remnants of Europe's landed gentry, or do deals with dodgy foreigners trying to laundering money. Those that get VC money are getting it from the offshoots of US firms, or even just through US firms directly with Delaware registered HQs to boot. Another approach is to convince some ageing celebrity (e.g. Richard Branson) to lend his name to your idea, so you can list on the exchanges and get a bunch of money from desperate pension funds.

      For whatever reason, the USA seems to embrace the idea that throwing $1000 at 20 different crazy ideas is worth it on the chance that one succeeds, whereas in most other countries there needs to be a big investigation and lynching when one single $1000 investment fails.

      This is why the EU needs public sector investment for this sort of stuff. In some EU countries the method has actually delivered results, while in others (e.g. UK) I suspect the public is just so conditioned to accept government incompetence that this is just a sort of path of least resistance thing.

  3. "recruitment by US companies" not that attractive by ffkom · · Score: 3, Interesting

    To somebody used to have 30 days of vacation days each year, and 40 hours of work per week, without the expectation to slave away 24/7, those recruitment efforts by US companies are not that attractive.

    I have worked for both US and EU companies, and would always choose the EU quality of life over the vague chance of some large bonus that US companies try to lure people with. Also, the way that US companies patronize their employees is simply awkward. Go away with your "codes of conduct" and all the other corporate crap!